Topic: Smoothing out the tank

[DavePhipps]

I'm going to  be repainting the tank on my 550 and am going to replace the honda name emblem with the wing decals. What  should I do about the tabs that  the emblems attach to? If I  bondo, the tabs look like they'll stick out a bit.
Angle grinder?

[Sporkfly]

On my '77 550 the tabs actually kept eating the bondo... They were recessed more than they look. Worst thing that will happen is you'll have to add some more material, slightly change the shape of the tank, but in the end you'll still have a smoothed out tank right?

[mystic_1]

You'll need to build up a bit anyway in order to follow the curves of the tank, so height of the mounting bars isn't a problem.  You don't have pins broken off and still in the holes, do you?  If so, yank them out with pliers.  I started with a chopped-fiberglass filler (Tiger Hair) and finished with bondo.  Worked well.

mystic_1

[jason teamshralp]

you can cut the little squares out of the valley they sit in. Then add metal, or just bondo. I left mine in place and pressed bondo into the mounting holes, i fiqured that would give it something to hold onto. I did have to do like three different layers of bondo because I kept sanding down to the bracket. But I got it nice and smooth, like they were never there.

[DavePhipps]

Thanks guys. The info was much appreciated

[crazypj]

I bash the tabs in flat onto tank first. leave them in place so Bondo has something to hold onto.
PJ

[KB02]

I bash the tabs in flat onto tank first. leave them in place so Bondo has something to hold onto.
PJ

On my '76 750F tank, I cut the tabs off with a cutting bit on my dremel tool. When I get ready to apint the tank for my current project, I'll probably do what PJ suggested.